You know good old Father Walt can be counted on when the chips are
down and everybody else is throwing around the oblique metaphors.
Put him together with Issa and you've got a couple of good traveling
companions.
To the States
To the States or any one of them, or any city of the States, Resist
----much, obey little,
Once unquestioning obedience, once fully enslaved,
Once fully enslaved, no nation, state, city of this earth, ever
----afterward resumes its liberty.Walt WhitmanThis morning while listening to some Charlie Parker I ran across some
Hurry into mist
hurry, hurry!
a bird set freeIssa
translated by David Lanoue
solid razzmatazz from William Carlos Williams. These two poems are
perfect examples of why a great deal of poetry must be heard (many
thanks to PennSound). Who knew what a spit fire the diminutive
Doctor was?
The Defective Record
Shoot It, Jimmy!
And who can't hear that beautiful Bird trilling "Go, Go, Go ...."?
best,
Don
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homepage.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
A Reminder, a Rejoiner, and Some Razzmatazz: Whitman, Issa, & Williams
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6 comments:
Our poetry panel at Babel Con had a few audience members but we had fun despite the small numbers. I have an annoucement over on my blog that I'm kind of proud of. It even involves haiku.
Don:
My humble condolences also to the family and friends of John Harter. I think it very special that you used his artwork on the cover of Lilliput #163. For reasons unknown, that's the way it was supposed to be.
Very Best,
Jeffery
"To the States" is a good poem, especially applicable right now. I like that Issa translation too.
Charles, congrats on the publication of Wanting the Mouth of a Lover by Spec House. And for your Flash Fiction Award from "The Clarity of Night" for Precious Cargo
Jeffrey, it does just seem that things happen the way they are supposed to. It was exactly 10 years to the month of John's first appearance in Lillie to this, his last.
Greg, very glad you liked the poems. The Whitman was, indeed, the reminder of what we continue to go through in these dangerous times.
Don
My condolences also for John Harter's loved ones. As always, I enjoy the sample poems every week. Archiving is so very important and I'm so glad you put in the effort for it.
PS Love the word "razzmatazz."
Thanks, P. The more I do it, the more I enjoy it and I've been getting some great response...
More soon ...
Don
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